or hanko döbringer fechtbuch from 1389

8/14/2019 Or Hanko Dbringer Fechtbuch From 1389

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Cod.HS.3227aor

Hanko Dbringer

fechtbuch from 1389

Translation and transcription byDavid Lindholm and friends.


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13VHere begins Master Liechtenauers art offencing with the sword, on foot and onhorseback, in armour and without. Andbefore all things you should know and un-

derstand that the sword is only one art andit was devised and thought out hundredsof years ago. This art is the foundation andcore and it was completely understood andknown by Master Liechtenauer. Not thathe himself devised or thought out what isdescribed, but he travelled and searchedthrough many lands since he wanted tolearn and experience this art. And this artis quite earnest and righteous, and it goes

from the nearest in search of the closest andgoes straight and right when you wish tostrike or thrust. So that when you want toattack someone it is as if you had a cord tiedto the point or edge of your sword and thisleads the point or edge to an opening.

13VHie hebt sich an meister lichtenawers kunstdes fechtens mit deme schwerte czu fusseund czu rosse blos und yn harnu[e]sche /und vor allen dingen und sachen / saltu

merken und wissen das nu[e]r eyne kunstist des swertes / und dy mag vor manchehundert jaren sein funden und irdocht unddy ist eyn grunt und kern aller ku[e]nstendes fechtens und dy hat meister lichtnaw-er gancz vertik und gerecht gehabt undgekunst / Nicht das her sy selber habefunden und irdocht als vor ist geschrebensonder her hat manche lant durchfaren undgesucht / durch dy selben rechtvertigen

und worhaftige ku[e]nst wille / das her dyio irvaren und wissen wolde / und dy selbekunst ist ernst gancz und rechtvertik / undget of das aller neheste und korczste svechtund gerade czu Recht zam wen eyner eynenhawen ader stechen wolde und das man imdenne eynen vadem ader snure an seinenort ader sneyde des swertes bu[e]nde undleytet aber czoege den selben ort adersneide off ienes blossen


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14RFor you should strike or thrust in the short-est and nearest way possible. For in thisrighteous fencing do not make wide or un-gainly parries or fence in large movements

by which people restrict themselves. ManyMasters of play fighting [Leychmeistere]say that they themselves have thought outa new art of fencing that they improve fromday to day. But I would like to see one whocould think up a fencing move or a strikewhich does not come from Liechtenauersart. Often they want to alter or give a newname to a technique, all out of their ownheads and think up wide reaching fencing

and parries and often make two or threestrikes when one would be enough or step-ping through and thrust, and for this theyreceive praise from the ignorant. Withtheir bad parries and wide fencing theytry to look dangerous with wide and longstrikes that are slow and with these theyperform strikes

14Rden her hawen ader stechen selde / nochdem aller nehesten korczsten und endli-chen als man das nu[e]r dar bregen mochte/ wen das selbe rechtfertige vechten / wil

nicht hobisch und weidlich paryren haben /und weiterumefechten mit deme sich lewtemochten lassen und vorzu[e]men / Als mannoch manche leychmeistere vindet dy dosprechen / das sy selber newe kunst vindenund irdenken und meynen das sich dy kunstdes fechtens von tage zu tage besser undmere / Aber ich wo[e]lde gerne eynen sehnder do / mo[e]chte nu[e]r eyn gefechte /ader eynen haw irdenken und tuen der do

nicht aus lichtnawers kunst gynge / Nu[e]rdas sy ofte eyn gefechte vorwandeln undvorkeren wa[e]llen / mit deme das sy imnewe name geben / itzlicher noch seymehawpte / und das sy weiterumefechten undparyrn irdenken / und oft vo[e]r eynen hawczwene ader dreye tuen nur durchwol-stechens wille do von sy von den unvor-stendigen gelobt wollen werden / mit demho[e]bschen paryrn und weiterumefechten

als sy sich veyntlich stellen / und weite undlange hewe dar brengen lanksam und trege/ mit deme sy sich gar sere vorhawen


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14Vthat miss and create openings in them-selves. They have no proper reach in theirfencing and that belongs not to real fencingbut only to school fencing and the exer-

cises for their own sake. But real fencinggoes straight and is simple in all thingswithout holding back or being restrictedjust as if a string had been tied or as if theyhad been connected. When you strike orthrust at another in front of you, then nostrikes or thrusts before or behind, nor be-sides or wide reaching movements or manystrikes will help if you hold back and losethe chance. Instead you must strike straight

and direct to the man, to the head or to thebody whatever is the closest and quickest.This must be done with speed and ratherwith one strike than with four or six whichwill again leave you hanging and giving theopponent a chance to hit you.

The first strike [Vorschlag] is a great advan-tage in the fencing as you will hear in thetext. Therefore Liechtenauer says that only

five strikes with other techniques should you use in real fencing. And he teachesthese straight and

14Vund zeu[e]men / und sich auch do mitevaste blos geben / Wen sy keyne mosse yniren fechten nicht haben / und das geho[e]rtdoch nicht zu ernstem fechten / zonder czu

schulfechten durch ubunge und gebrawc-hunge wille mochte is wol etzwas gut seyn/ Aber ernste vechten wil risch slecht undgar gerade dar gehen / an alles lassen undzu[e]men[e]uss / zam noch eyner snurenader zam itzlichs besunder gemessen undgewegen were / Wen sal eyner eynen slaenader stechen / der do vor im stet zo hilft inio keyn slag ader stich - hindersich / aderneben sich noch keynerley weitfechten

ader vil hewe / das mit eyme mo[e]chteenden / mit deme her sich zu[e]met undlast / das her dy schantcze vorslest / Sonderher mus io / slecht und gleich czuhawen /czum manne / czu kop ader czu leibe / nochdem aller nehesten und schiresten als herin nu[e]r gehaben mag und irreichen rischund snelle und liber mit eyme slage wenmit viern ader sechen mit deme her sichmo[e]chte lassen / und das iener leichte e

queme denne her /Wen der vorslag / eyn gros vorteil ist / ofdeme vechten / als du es als hernoch wirsthoren yn dem texte / do nennet lichtnawer /nu[e]r fu[e]nff hewe / mit andern sto[e]cken/ dy do nu[e]tcze seyn czu erstem vechten/ und leret dy noch


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15Rsimple and does them as quickly and as di-rect as possible. And you will lay under youall the drumming and new inventions bythe [Leychmeistere] or play masters since

these [five strikes] are the foundation of his[Liechtenauers] art. Note and know alsothat it is not possible to explain the art offencing as well with words as one can showit with the hand. Therefore open your mindand ponder well and the more you trainyourself in play the more you will think ofit in earnest. For practice is better than art,your exercise does well without the art, butthe art is not much good without the exer-

cise. Know also that a good fencer shouldbefore all things know his sword and be ableto grip it well with both hands, between thecross guard and the pommel since you willthen be safer than if you did grip it withone hand on the pommel. And you will alsostrike harder and truer, with the pommelswinging itself and turning in the strike youwill strike harder than if you were holdingthe pommel. When you pull the pommel

in the strike you will not come as perfect oras strongly. For the sword is like a scale, if asword is large and heavy then the pommelmust also be large and heavy to balance itlike a scale.

15Rrechter kunst slecht und gerade dar blegennoch dem aller nehesten und schiresten/ als mag is nu[e]r dar komen / und lestalles trummel werk / und new funden un-

derwegen von den leychmeistere dy dochgruntlich aus syner kunst dar komen / Auchmerke das / und wisse das man nicht gar ey-gentlich und bedewtlich von dem fechtenmag sagen und schreiben ader aus legen /als man is wol mag / czeigen und weisen mitder hant / Dorumbe tu of dyne synnen undbetrachte is deste vas / und ube dich do-rynne deste mer yn schimpfe / zo gedenk-stu ir deste vas in ernste / wen ubunge ist

besser wenne kunst / denne ubunge tawgwol ane kunst aber kunst tawg nicht wol aneu[e]bunge Auch wisse das eyn guter fech-ter sal vo[e]r allen sachen syn swert gewisseund sicher fu[e]ren und fassen mit baidenhenden / czwischen gehilcze und klos / wenalzo helt her das swert vil sicher / den dashers bey dem klosse vasset mit eyner hant /Und slet auch vil harter und su[e]rer / alzo/ wen der klos o[e]ber wirft sich und swenkt

sich noch dem slage das der slag vil harter/ dar kumpt / den das her das swert mitdem klosse vasset Wen alzo czo[e]ge herden slag mit dem klosse weder das her nichtzo vo[e]lko[e]mlich und zo stark mo[e]chtedar komen / Wen das swert


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15VAlso know that when you fence with an-other you should step with caution and besure in them [the steps or movements] as ifyou were standing on a scale and adapt ac-

cordingly if you go forward or backward asis fitting. Easy and quickly with good heartand good knowledge or sense you shouldgo and without fear, as you will know here-after. You should also show reach in yourfencing as is suitable and not step too wide,so that you can pull back and be ready foranother step backwards or forwards. Oftentwo shorter steps will happen before a longone. And often you must make a short leap

with short steps, and often you must makea good step or leap. And what you wouldtry readily in earnest or in play, should behidden from him so that he does not knowwhat you intend to try against him.

15Vist recht zam eyn woge / den ist eyn swertgros und swer / zo mus der klos auch dor-noch swer syn / recht zam noch eynen wo-gen / Auch wisse wen eyner mit eyme ficht

/ zo sal her syner / schrete wol war nemen /und sicher in den seyn / wen her recht zamof eyner wogen stechen sol / hindersich/ ader vorsich czu treten / noch deme alssichs gepu[e]rt / gefu[e]ge und gerinklich /risch und snelle / und gar mit gutem muteund guter gewissen ader vornunft sal deynfechten dar gehen / und an alle vorchte / alsman das hernoch wirt ho[e]ren / Auch saltumosse haben yn deyme gefechte dornoch

als sichs gepu[e]rt / und salt nicht czu weitschreiten / das du dich desto vas eyns / an-dern schretes irholen magest / hinderdich/ ader vordich czutuen / noch deme als sichwo[e]rde gepuren / / Auch gepuren sichoft czwene korcze schrete vor eynem lan-gen / und oft gepu[e]rt sich das eyner eynlewftcheyn mus tuen / mit korczen schreten/ und oft das eyner eynen guten schret adersprunk mus tuen / Und was eyner redlichs

wil treiben czu schimpfe / ader czu ernste /das sal her eyme vor den ogen / fremde undvorworren / machen / das iener nicht merktwas deser keyn im meynt czutreiben/


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16R And when you close with him thinkingthat you have the correct measure and be-lieve that you can reach him, and then youshall go at him quickly and with speed to

the head and to the body. You will hit ormiss and win the first strike [Vorschlag],and not let him come to anything as youwill hear hereafter in the true teaching. Youshould always look for the upper openings[Blossen] rather than the lower, and go overhis hilt with strikes or thrusts artfully andquickly. For you have better reach over thehilt than under it and you are also muchsafer in all your fencing. The upper touch

is much better than the lower. But it mayalso happen that you are closer to the loweropening and therefore seek it, as often hap-pens. Also know that one should close inwith him from the right hand side in thefencing, and in all things in fencing and inwrestling you take him better like this thanstraight on. And if you know this techniqueand make use of it, then you are not a badfencer.

16RUnd als vald wen her denne czu im kumptund dy moe also czu im hat das in du[e]nkther welle in im wol haben und irreichen /zo sal her kunlich czu im hurten und varen

/ snelle und risch / czu koppe ader czu leibe/ her treffe ader vele / und sal io den vorslaggewynnen / und ienen mit nichte lassenczum dingen komen / als du das hernochwirst ho[e]ren yn der gemeynen lere Auch sal eyner allemal liber den obernblo[e]en remen / denne den undern / undeeyme ober deme gehilcze yn varen / mithewe ader mit stiche / ku[e]nlich und risch /Wen eyner irreicht eynen vil vas und verrer

o[e]ber dem gehilcze / den dorunder / undeyner ist auch alzo vil sicher alles fechtens/ und der obern rure eyne / ist vil besserdenne der under eyne / Is wen denne / dasist alzo queme das eyner neher hette zu derundern das her der remen mu[e]ste / als dasofte kumpt Auch wisse / das eyner sal ioeyme of dy rechte seiten komen yn seymegefechte / wen her eyner do yn allen sachen/ des fechtens ader ringens / vas gehaben

mag / denne gleich vorne czu / und wer dissto[ecke wol weis / und wol dar brengt derist ist nicht eyner bo[e]zer fechter /


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16VAlso know that when you wish to fence inearnest, then you shall have a finished piecein [your mind], any [technique or strategy]you want that is complete and correct and

hold it in all seriousness and firmly in yourmind when you want to close with him as ifyou would say This is what I intend!. Andthen you will have success with the help ofGod and not go wrong. You do what youshould when you bravely rush the oppo-nent with the first strike [Vorschlag] as youwill know hereafter.

16VAuch wisse / wen eyner ernstlich wil fech-ten / der vasse im eyn vertik sto[e]cke vor/ wels her wil / das do gancz und gerechtsey / und neme im das ernstlich und stete

in seynem syn und gemu[e]te / wen her ofeynem wil recht zam her so[e]lde sprechendas meyne ich io zutreiben / und dal sal undmus vorgank haben in der ho[e]lfe gotes zomag is im mit nichte velen / her tut was hersal / wen her kunlich dar hort und rawscht/ mit dem vorslage / als man das hernachoft wirt horen


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17RTo all fencing belongs the aid of God withthe right, leap straight and sound, choosea ready sword, before [Vor], after [Nach],weak [Weich], strong [Hart] and In that

instance [Indes], note that word. Strike[Hewe], thrust [Stosse], cut [Snete] andpress [Drucken], guards [Huten], covers[Schutze], stabing [Stossen], (Jeffrey Hullmade the suggestion that Stossen mightalso refer to pushing someones body, eitheraway or to the side. This is also a possibleinterpretation) feeling [Fuhlen], withdraw-ing [Zucken], turning [Winden] and hang-ing [Hengen], pulling back [Rucken], strike

[Streiche], leap [Spronge], grab [Greiffen],wrestling [Rangen] knowing [Vissheit] anddaring [Kunheit], caution [Vorsichtikeit],cunning [List] and wisdom [Klugheit], reach[Masse] and secrecy [Vorborgenheit], rea-son [Vernuft], intuition [Vorbetrachtunge]and readiness [Fetikeit], practice and goodcheer, with agility step well. In these versesare fundamentals and principles, and whatbelongs to them are named. All the skills

of fencing you should consider correctly,as you hereafter will really hear and read,all simply and after its nature. Fencer, dothis and the art will become clear. From thesword, do good and wide covers.

17RO zu allem fechten geho[e]rt dy ho[e]lfegotes von rechte / Gera der leip und gesun-der / eyn gancz vertik swert pesunder/ Vornoch schwach sterke / yndes das wort mete

zu merken/ hewe stiche snete dru[e]cken /leger schu[e]tczen sto[e]sse fu[e]len zucken/ Winden und hengen / ru[e]cken strichespro[e]nge greiffen rangen / Vissheit undkunheit / Vorsichtikeit list und klugheitmasse Vorborgenheit / vornunft vorbe-trachtunge fetikeit / Ubunge und guterilint / motus gelenkheit schrete gut / Inden selben versen da / sint dir fundamentprincipia / Und pertinencia benumet und

dy gancze materia / Aller kunst des fechten/ das saltu betrachten rechte / Als du aucheigentlich / hernocher und so[e]nderlich /wirst heren ader lisen / iczlichs noch sey-nem wezen ffechter des nym war zo wirtdir bekant dy kunst gar / of dem ganczenswerte / und manch gut weidelich geverte


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17VMotion/movement [Motus], note that wordwell, it is to the fencing a heart and a crown,it is the very matter of fencing. All that itcontains and all the fundamentals will be

mentioned by name and made well under-stood hereafter. When you fence with an-other, then in this you are well taught, andremain fast in movement, and do not tarrywhen he starts to fence with you. Then make without limit and end that which is skillfull. Be quick and steadywithout faltering, at once so that he cannotstrike. That is fortunate and he will be hurt,when he cannot strike away, as the other

cannot part without being beaten. And af-ter the teaching that is here described, I saytruly, that the other cannot defend with-out danger. If you have understood this hewill not come to strikes. Here note thatconstant motion [Frequens motus] holdsthe beginning, middle and the end of allfencing according to this art and teaching.That is you should quickly do the begin-ning, the middle and the end without delay

and without any hindrances from the op-ponent and not letting him strike at you.That concept comes from the two wordsbefore [Vor] and after [Nach], that is thefirst strike [Vorschlag] and the after strike[Nachschlag], in the middle

17VMotus das worte schone / ist des fechtenseyn hort und krone / der gancze materiazdes fechtens / mit aller pertinencia /undder artikeln gar des fundamentes dy var /

mit namen sint genant / und werden dirhernach vas bekant / Wy denne eyner nurficht / so sey her mit den wol bericht / Undsey stetz in motu / und nicht veyer wen hermit / du hebt zu fechten / zo treibe her mitrechte / Umbermer und endlich eyns nochdem andern ku[e]nlich / In eyme rawschestete / an underlos immediate / das ienernicht kome / czu slage / des nympt deserfromme Und iener schaden / wen her nicht

ungeslagen / Von desem komen mag / tutnur deser noch dem rat / Und noch derleren / dy itczunt ist geschreben / So sagich vorwar / sich schu[e]tzt iener nicht anevar / hastu vornomen / czu slage mag hermit nichte komen / Hie merke das / fre-quens motus / beslewst in im / begynnes/ mittel und ende / alles fechtens / nochdeser kunst und lere / alzo das eyner yneyme rawsche / anhebunge / mittel unde

endunge / an underlos und an hindernu[e]ssyner wedervechters volbrenge / und ienenmit nichte lasse zu slage komen / Wen ofdas geet dy zwey wo[e]rter vor / noch / dasist vorslag und nochslag / in mete in


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18RThis is the general foreword to the un-armoured [blossfechten] fencing on foot,note this well.Young knights learn to love God and hon-

our women that your honour may grow.Practice knightly things and learn arts thathelp you and grant you honour in war.Wrestle well; grab the lance, spear, swordand falchion. Do this manly and make ituseless in other hands. Strike threefold andhard in there, rush in regardless if you hitor miss, so that in understanding this youwill be known as a wise man. This you shallknow, that all things have length and mea-

sure. Do what you wish to do with goodunderstanding. In earnest or in play havegood heart with measure. Thus you bewareand look with good cheer; this is what youshall do and how you go against him. Forgood heart and force makes your opponentweak, govern yourself after this; never givean advantage for nothing. Do not be rash;do not first do four or six (I believe D-bringer is referring to strikes. But it might

also be opponents). With your overconfi-dence be moderate, which is good for you.He is a brave man who fights his own weak-nesses. It is no shame to flee when four orsix (foes) are at handDo not strike at the sword but wait for theopenings.

18 RDas ist eyne gemeyne vorrede des blozfech-tens czu fue das merke wolJung Ritter lere / got lip haben frawen ioere / So wechst dein ere / U[e]be ritter-

schaft und lere / kunst dy dich zyret undin krigen sere hofiret / Ringens gut fesser/ glefney sper swert unde messer / menlichbederben / unde in andern henden vorter-ben / Haw dreyn und hort dar / rawschehin trif ader la farn / das in dy weisen has-sen dy man siet preisen / Dorauf dich zoealle ding haben lenge unde mosse / Undwas du wilt treiben by guter vornunft saltubleiben / czu crust ader czu schimpf / habe

fro[e]lichen mut mit limpf / So magstuachten und mit gutem mute betrachten/ Was du salt fu[e]ren und keyn im dichru[e]ren / Wen guter mut mit kraft machteyns wedersache czagehaft / dornoch dichrichte gib keynem forteil mit ichte / Crimk-ruheit meide vier ader sechs nicht vortreibe/ mit deynem o[e]bermut bis sitik das ist dirgut / der ist eyn ku[e]ner man der synemgleichen tar bestan / Is ist nicht schande

vier ader sechs flien von hande


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18VThis is a general teaching of the sword. Ifyou want to display skill, go with the left andfollow right with the strikes, and left withright is how you will fence with strength.

If you only strike after, you will have littlejoy from his art, strike him wherever youwish, and no changer [Wechsler] will comewithin your shield. To the head, to the bodyand do not forget the withdrawing [Zuck-en]. Do with the entire body what you wishto do firmly. Hear what is bad; do not fenceabove left if you are a right hander. And ifyou are a left hander then leave the rightbehind and fence rather from high left to

low (on the right).Before [Vor] and after [Nach], from thesetwo things the whole art stem, weak [Weich]and strong [Hart], in an instant [Indes] notethat word well. Thus you may learn withwork and defend artfully, if you frighteneasily, do not learn how to fence. Knowl-edge [Kunheit] and skill [Rischeit], cun-ning [List], prudence [Vorsichtikeit] andwisdom [Klugheit], this fencing desire and

cheerfully do. Do not strike to the sword;instead go for the openings [Blossen],reason, secrecy, reach, foreknowing andreadiness [Vornuft, vorborgenheit, mossebevorbetrachtunge, hobsheit, fetikeit].Here follows a general teaching (Glosa ge-neralis hiuius sequitur)Before all know and note that the point ofthe sword is the centre and also its centreand core and from this comes all fencing and

all returns to it. So the hangings [Hengen]and the turnings [Winden] is the hanging inand the going around of the centre

18VDas ist eyne gemeyne lere des swertes Wiltu kunst schawen sich link gen undrecht mete hawen und link mit rechten isdas du stark gerest fechten / Wer noch get

hewen der darf sich kunst kleyne frewen /haw im was du wilt keyn wechsler kawm andich schild / (haw nicht czu swerte / sonderstets der bloe wa[e]rte) / Czu koppe czuleibe dy czecken do nicht vormeide / Mitganczem leiben ficht was du stark geresttreiben / Hoer was do slecht ist ficht nichtoben link zo du recht pist / Und ob du linkpist ym rechten sere hinkest / Auch so vi-cht io liber von oben linklichen nider / vor

noch dy czwey dink syn allen kunsten eynorsprink / Schwach unde sterke Indes daswort mete merke / So machstu lernen mit/ kunst und erbeit dich weren / Irschrik-stu gerne / keyn fechten nymmer lerne /Kunheit und rischeit / vorsichtikeit list undklugheit (vornuft vorborgenheit mosse vor-betrachtunge fetikeit) / Wil fechten habenund fro[e]lichs gemu[e]te tragen/

Glossa generalis huius sequitur

Won allerersten merke und wisse / das derort des swertes ist das zentrum das mittelund der kern des swertes aus deme alle ge-fechte gen und weder yn in komen / So sintdy hengen und dy winden synt dy anhengeund dy u[e]mlewfe des zentrums und deskerns


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19Rand from these good fencing will be done,and it is so thought out and discovered thata fencer who like so always strikes or thrustsat the point [Of the opponents weapon] do

not always hit well. But with these tech-niques striking [Hawende], thrusting[Stechende] or cutting [Sneydende], step-ping in or out [Abe und czutreten], steppingaround [Umbeschreiten] or a leap [Sprin-gen], will hit the other. And if someoneshoots or steps forward with the point andlengthens or moves it forward, the othercannot hurt or shorten you with turnings[Winden] or stepping out [Czutreten].

Then the opponent cannot come into safetechniques and pieces such as the strike,thrust or cut. For Liechtenauers art isfounded on principles of all the fencingskills and on the art of the sword. Strikes,thrusts and cuts as you will hear later here,how to do techniques and defend againstwhat the other does, and how to do one outof the other if one(technique) is defendedagainst, then the other technique will hit

and have success. Secondly know and notethat not one thing on the sword is withoutits use or reason. Therefore you should usethe point [Ort], both edges [Sneiden], crossguard [Gehilcze] and pommel [Klos] and allthat is on the sword. As they

19Raus den auch gar vil guter sto[e]cke desfechtens komen / Und sint dorum fundenund irdocht / das eyn fechter / der da gleichczum orte czu hewt ader sticht nicht wol

allemal treffen mak / / das der mite denselben sto[e]cken hawende stechende adersneydende mit abe / und czutreten / undmit umbeschreiten ader springen eynentreffen mag / Und ab eyner syn ort desswertes / mit schien ader mit voltreten /vorlewt ader vorlengt / zo mag her in mitwinden ader abetreten / weder / ynbren-gen und ko[e]rczen / alzo das her wederyn gewisse stoecke und gesetze ku[e]mpt

des fechtens / aus den her hewe stiche adersnete brengen mag / Wen noch lychtnawrskunst / zo komen aus allen gefechten undgesetze der kunst des swertes / hewe sticheund snete / als man wirt hernoch ho[e]ren / wy eyn sto[e]cke und gesetze aus demandern kumpt / und wy sich eyns aus denandern macht / ab eyns wirt geweret / dasdaz ander treffe und vorgank habe Czu demandern mal merke und wisse / daz keyn dink

an dem swerte / Umbe zu[e]st funden undirdocht ist / zunder eyn fechter / den ort /beide sneiden gehilcze klos / und als das amswerte ist / nu[e]tczen sal / noch dem


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19Vare meant to be used in the art of fencingas is done in the exercises as you will findhereafter see and hear. Also know and notethat when he says that you should show art,

then he intends that the artful fencer shouldplace his left foot forward and strike withit from the right side straight at the manwith true strikes as soon as you see howyou can take him and reach him with yourown steps. Also when you want to fencestrongly, then fence from the left side withthe whole body and with full force to thehead and to the body wherever you can hit and never to his sword, but as if he (the

opponent) does not have a sword or as ifyou cannot see. And you shall not disdainany following or contacts made, but alwayswork and remain in motion so the he can-not come to blows. He (Liechtenauer) alsomeans that you should not step straightin with the blows, but from the side at anangle so that you come in from the sidewhere you can reach him easier than fromthe front. When you strike or thrust at him,

he will not be able to defend with othertechniques and neither lead it away bychanging through [Durchwechsel] as longas the strikes or thrusts are to the man, tothe openings [Blossen] to the head and thebody with steps and leaps in from the side.

19Vals iczleichs syn so[e]nderleichs gesetze hatyn der kunst des fechtens / noch dem als dyU[e]bunge hat und fundert / als du itzlichsbesunder hernoch wirst sehen und ho[e]ren

/ Auch merke und wisse / mit deme als herspricht wiltu kunst schawen etc meynt her/ das eyn kunstlicher fechter der sal denlinken fuz vor seczen / und von der rechtenseiten mete hawen / gleich czum manne /mit drewe hewen / zo lang bis das her sietwo her iener wol gehaben mag / und woldirreichen mit seinen schreten und meyntwen eyner stark wil fechten zo sal her vonder linken seiten of fechten / mit ganczem

leibe und mit ganczer kraft / czu koppe undczu leibe wo her nur treffen mag / Undnimmer zu keyn swerte / zunder her saltuen / zam iener keyn swert habe aber zamhers nicht sehe / und sal keyne czecken aderruren nicht vormeiden / zonder umbermerin arbeit und beru[e]rungen seyn / das ienernicht czu slage mag komen / Auch meynt her das / eyner den hewennicht gleich sal noch gehen und treten

zonder etwas beseites und krummes umbe /das her ieme an dy seite kome / do her in vas/ mit allerleye gehaben mag / denne vorneczu / Was denne her nu[e]r of ienen hewtader sticht das mag im iener mit keynerleyedurchwechsel ader andern gefechten / wolweren ader abeleiten / nu[e]r das dy heweader stiche gleich czum manne czu gehenkeyn den blo[e]en / czu koppe ader czuleibe / mit umbeschriten und treten /


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20RAlso note and know what he says here, be-fore [Vor], after [Nach], the two things do,he names the five words; Before [Vor], After[Nach], Weak [Weich], Strong [Hart], in

that instant/just as [Indes]. On these wordshinge the whole art of Liechtenauer, andthey are the foundation and cornerstoneof all fencing on foot or on horseback, inarmour [Harnusche] or without [Blos]. Re-gardless if you hit or miss, as Liechtenauersays, strike and rush in and then follow nomatter if you hit or miss. The word before[Vor] means that a good fencer will alwayswin the first strike [Vorschlag]. When you

step or leap in to close with the opponentas soon as you see that you can reach himwith step or leap, then you shall close withstrikes to the openings [Blossen] and fenceat the head or the body without any fearat all as you will surely win against him.Therefore when you win the first strike[Vorschlag] then it is no matter if it is goodor painful for the opponent, and you willalso be sure in your steps and should do

them well measured neither too long nortoo short. When you now do the first strike[Vorschlag] if you hit then follow up thehit quickly,

20RAuch merke und wisse / mit deme als herspricht / vor noch dy zwey dink etc do /nent her dy fu[e]nff worter / vor noch swa-ch stark Indes / an den selben wo[e]rtern

leit alle kunst / meister lichtnawers / Undsint dy gruntfeste und der // kern alles fech-tens czu fusse ader czu rosse / blos ader inharnu[e]sche / Mit deme worte vor / meynther das eyn itzlicher guter fechter sal alle-mal den vorslag haben und gewinnen / (hertreffe ader vele / als lichnawer spricht hawdreyn und hurt dar / rawsche hin trif ader lavar) / Wenne her czu eyme gehet ader lewftals balde als her nur siet / das her in mit

eynem schrete / ader mit eynem sprungedirreichen mag / wo her dene indert in blossiet / do sal her hin varn / mit frewden /czu koppe ader czu leibe / ku[e]nlich analle vorchte wo her in am gewisten gehabenmag / alzo das her io den vorslag gewinne/ is tu ieme wol ader we / und sal auch mitdem / in synen schreten gewisse sein / undsal dy haben recht zam gemessen / das hernicht zu korcz ader czu lank schreite / Wen

her nu[e] den vorslag / tuet / trift her / zovolge her dem treffen vaste noch weret heraber den vorslag alzo das her im den vorslag/ is sy haw ader stich mit syme swerte / abe-weiset und leitet / dy weile her denne iemenoch / an syme swerte ist / mit deme als herwirt abegeweist / von der blo[e]en der hergeremet / hat / zo sal her gar eben fu[e]lenund merken


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20Vbut if the other defends against the firststrike [Vorschlag] whether it was a strikeor a thrust and turns it away and leadswith his sword, then you shall remain on

the sword if you were deflected from theopening and feel if the opponent is hard[Hart] or soft [Weich] and strong [Stark]or weak [Swach] on the sword. And whenyou notice this, then be hard or soft againstthe opponent as he defends himself. Andthen in an instant [Indes] should you do theafter strike [Nachschlag] before the oppo-nent has a chance to come to blows, that isas soon as the opponent defends against the

first strike [Vorschlag] as you do that, attackother openings [Blossen] with other tech-niques speedily. And always be in motion,this will force the opponent to be on thedefence and not be able to come to blowshimself. For he who defends against strikesis always in greater danger than the onewho strikes, since he must either defendor allow himself to be hit if he is to have achance to strike a blow himself. That is why

Liechtenauer says; I say truthfully, no mancan defend without danger. If you haveunderstood this he will not come to blows,and you already know the five words thatthis art consists of. Therefore in all sword-play someone who strikes will often defeat aMaster if he is bold and gain the first strike[Vorschlag] according to this teaching.

20Vab iener in syme abeleiten und schu[e]tzender hewe ader stiche / an syme swerte weichader herte / swach ader stark sey / Ist dennedas her nu[e] wol fu[e]let / wy iener in syme

geferte ist / is das iener stark und herte ist/ Indes das hers nu[e] genczlich merkt undfu[e]let zo sal her Indes ader under dez dassich iener zo schu[e]tzt / weich und swachdirweder syn / und in den selben e den /das iener czu keyme slage kome / so sal herdenne den nochslag tuen / das ist / das herczu haut / dy weile sich iener schu[e]tztund sich des vorslags weret / is sy haw aderstich zo sal her ander gefechte und sto[e]cke

hervo[e]rsu[e]chen / mit den her aber czusynen blo[e]en hurt und rawschet / alzodas her umbermer in bewegunge und inberu[e]runge sy / das her ienen als irre /und berawbet mache / das iener mit symeschu[e]tzen und weren / alzo vil czu schaffenhabe / das her / der schu[e]tzer / czu synerslege / keyne komen mag / wen eyner dersich sal schu[e]tzen / und der slege warne-men der ist allemal in gro[e]sser var denne

der der da slet of in / denne her mus ia dyslege weren / ader mus sich lasen treffen /daz her selber mu[e]lich / czu slage mag ko-men / dorum spricht lichtnawer / Ich sagevor ware sich schutzt keyn man ane vare /Hastu vornomen czu slage mag her kleynekomen / Bustu anders noch den fu[e]nffwo[e]rtern / of dy dese rede gar get / Undalles fechten darum slet oftey hawer eynmeister wen her ku[e]ne ist und den vorslag

gewinet / noch deser lere /


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21RWith the word before [Vor] as has been toldbefore, he [Liechtenauer] means that you with a good first strike [Vorschlag] shallclose in without fear or hesitation and strike

at the openings [Blossen], to the head andto the body, regardless whether you hit ormiss you will confuse the opponent and putfear into him, so that the he does not knowwhat to do against you. Then before the op-ponent can gather himself and come back,you shall do the after strike [Nachschlag]so that he will have to defend yet again andnot be able to strike himself. Thus whenyou strike the first strike [Vorschlag] and

the opponent defends against this, in thedefence you will always be first to reach theafter strike [Nachschlag] before the oppo-nent. As soon as you can you should go withthe pommel to the head or come in withthe cross strike [Zwerchhaw] that is alwaysgood to do, or you can throw the swordforward crosswise in and by that enter intoother techniques. You can also initiate oth-er good moves since the opponent will not

be able to strike. You shall hear how youdo one thing from another so that the op-ponent cannot come at you without beingstruck, if you act according to this teach-ing. You shall do with one mind and onestrike the first strike [Vorschlag] and theafter strike [Nachschlag] quickly one afterthe other, and when it happens that the op-ponent defends against the strike, then hewill do this with his sword and you will be

on his sword. And when the opponent isslow and late then you can remain on hissword and right away turn [Wind] and noteand feel [Fulen] if the other gathers himselfin order to move away or not. If he movesoff when you have come on the sword infront of one another and extend the pointsat one another to the openings [Blossen],then you shall before the opponent hastime to gather himself in order to strike or

thrust-

21Rwenne mit dem worte vor als e gesprochenist / meynt her das eyner mit eyme guten vorslage ader mit dem ersten slage / saleyner kunlich an alle vorchte dar hurten

und rawschen / keyn den blo[e]ssen czukoppe ader czu leibe / her treffe ader vele /das her ienen czu haut als betewbet / macheund in irschrecke das her nicht weis was herkeyn desem solle weder tuen / Und auch edene sich iener weder keyns irhole / aderweder czu im selber kome / das her denneczu hant den nochslag tue / Und im io zovil schaffe / czu weren und czu schu[e]tzen/ das her nicht mo[e]ge czu slage komen /

denne wen deser der ersten slag / ader denvorslag tuet / und in iener denne weret / indem selben weren und schutzen / zo kumptdeser denne alle mal e czu dem nochslageden iener czu den ersten den her mag czuhaut czu varn mit dem klosse / ader mag indy twerhewe komen / dy czu male gut syn /ader mag sost das swert dy twer vor werfen/ do mite her in ander gefechte kumpt /ader sost mancherleye mag her wol beginen

/ e denne iener czu slage kumpt / als duwirst horen wy sich eyns aus den andernmacht / das iener nicht mag von im komenungeslagen / tut her anders noch deserlere / (wenne her sal mit eyme gedanken /und zam mit eyme slage / ab is mo[e]glichwere / den vorslag und nochschlag tuen/ risch und snelle nocheynander) / Auchmo[e]chte is wol dar czu komen ab ienerden vorslag weret so mu[e]ste her in weren

mit dem swerte / und alzo mu[e]ste herdesen io an syn swert komen / Und wendenne iener etzwas trege und las were zomo[e]chte deser denne an dem swerte bley-ben und sal denne zu hant winden / und solgar eben merken und fulen / ab sich ienerwil abeczihen von dem swerte / ader nicht/ Czewt sich iener ab / als sy nu[e] vor miteynander an dy swert sint komen / und dyorter keyn eynander rechen / czu der blos-

sen / E denne sich / denne iener keyns hawsader stichs of eyn news weder


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21Vfollow him with the point and do a goodthrust to the chest or something like thatas quickly and directly as you can. That isyou should not let him escape unharmed

from the sword. Since you know at oncethat you have a shorter way to the opponentsince you already have your point on the[his] sword, as close and as short as possible.Then if you move away to do another strikeor thrust and you do a wide movement, thenthe opponent will always be able to beat youto the [Nachschlag] with a strike or thrust,then he can hit you with the first strike[Vorschlag]. And this is what Liechtenauer

means with the word [Nach]. When youhave done the first strike [Vorschlag] thenyou shall without any delay do the [Nach-schlag] and you should also stay in motionand do one thing after another. If the first[attack] does not work then the second, thethird or the fourth will hit, and you shallnot let the opponent come to blows. Sinceno one has greater advantage than he whofights according to the teaching of the five

words. But if it is so that the opponent re-mains on the sword after his defence and ison the sword, and it has occurred that youremain with him on the sword and he hasnot done the [Nachschlag] then you shallturn [Wind] and remain with him on thesword. And you shall notice straight awayif the opponent is weak [Swach] or strong[Stark]. If it is so that you feel and noticethat the opponent is strong [Stark] and hard

[Herte] and firm [Veste] on the sword andintends to push your sword away, then youshall be weak [Swach] and yielding [Weich]and give way to his strength and let the op-ponent push his sword to the side and gowith this. You shall then leave his swordquickly and speedily and

21Virholen mag mit syme abeczihen zo hat imdeser czu hant mit syme orte noch gevolget/ mit eynem guten stiche czu der brost /ader so[e]st vorne czu wo her in am sch-

nesten und nehesten getreffen mag / alzodas im iener mit nichte ane schaden vondem swerte mag komen / Wen deser hatio czu hant mit syme nochvolgen / neherczu ieme / mit dem als her synen ort / vor /an dem swerte gestalt hat keyn ieme nochdem aller nehesten und ko[e]rczsten / wendas iener mit syme abeczihen / of / eynnews solde hewe ader stiche / weit umbe/ dar brengen / alzo mag io deser alle mal

e czu dem nochslage ader stiche komen /e denne iener czu dem ersten / Und dasmeynt lichtnawer mit dem worte / noch /wen eyner im den vorslag hat getan / zosal her zu hant an underloz / of der selbenvart den nochslag tuen / und sal umbermerin bewegunge / und in rurunge syn / undumbermer eyns noch dem andern treiben/ ab ym das erste vele / daz daz ander dazdritte ader daz vierde treffe / und io ienen

nicht lassen czu keyme slage komen / wenkeynen / mag grosser vorteil of fechten ha-ben / den der noch der lere / deser fu[e]nff/ wo[e]rter tuet / Ist aber das iener an demswerte bleybt / mit dem als her mit symeweren und schutzen disem im syn swert istkomen / und is sich also vorczogen hat dasdeser mit im an dem swerte ist bleyben /und noch nicht den nochslag hat getan /zo sal deser winden / of und mit im alzo

an dem swerte stehen / und sal gar ebenmerken und fu[e]len ab iener swach aderstark ist an dem swerte / Ist denne das desermerkt und fu[e]let / das iener stark herteund veste an dem swerte ist / und desernu[e] meynt syn swert hin dringen / zo saldeser denne swach und weich dirweder syn/ und sal syne sterke weiche und stat geben /und sal im syn swert / hin lassen prelen undvarn / mit syme dringen daz her tuet / und

deser sal denne syn swert snelle


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22Rmove away and go at his openings [Blos-sen] to the head and the body with strikesand thrusts or with cuts, in the simplest andshortest way that you can. Since the harder

and surer someone presses and pushes withhis sword, while the other is weak againstand let his sword yield, the wider his swordis pushed to the side the more open he willbecome and the other can then hit him as hepleases before the other can gather himselfagain and attack with a new strike or thrust.But if the opponent is weak and soft at thesword and you notice this well and feel, thenyou should be strong and hard against the

sword and should let your point go straightand hard on his sword, at his openings asdirectly as possible. Just as if there was athread tied to your point leading you in theshortest way to the opponents openings.And this thrust you should do when youare notice that the opponent is weak andallow his sword to be pushed back and al-lows himself to get hit, or if he is strong anddefends and displace the thrust (pushes you

aside). If the opponent remains strong at thesword and deflects the sword and defendsagainst the thrust, that is that he pushes thesword swiftly away, you should be soft andyielding and let your sword yield before youand then speedily go at his openings withstrikes, thrusts or cuts in any way you can.This is what Liechtenauer means by thewords soft [Weich] and strong [Hart]. Andthis comes from the authorities

22Rlassen abegleiten / und abeczihen / baldeund risch und sal snelle dar varn keyn syn-en blossen / czu koppe ader czu leibe mithewen stichen und sneten / wo her nu[e]r

am nehesten und schiresten mag czu komen/ Wen e harter und e su[e]rer iener dringtund druckt mit syme swert und deser denneswach und weich dirweder ist / und synswert lest abegleiten / und im alzo weicht /e verrer und e weiter denne ieme syn swertwek prelt das her denne gar blos wirt / unddas in denne deser noch wonsche mag tref-fen und ru[e]ren / e denne her sich selber /keyns haws ader stichs irholen mag / Ist aber

iener an dem swerte swach und weich alzodas is deser nu[e] wol merkt und fu[e]let /zosal deser denne stark und herte dirwedersyn / an dem swerte / und sal denne mitsyme orte sterklichen an dem swerte hinvarn und rawschen keyn iens blossen gleichvorne czu / wo her am nehesten mag / rechtzam im eyn snure ader vadem / vorne ansynen ort were gebunden / der im synen ortof das neheste / weizet czu eines blossen /

und mit dem selben stechen das deser tuet/ Wirt her wol gewar ab iener zo swach ist/ daz her im syn swert lest alzo hin dringenund sich lest treffen / Ist aber ab her starkist und den stich weret und abeleitet / isdas her stark wirt weder an dem swerte /und desem syn swert abeweiset und denstich weret / also das her desen syn swertvaste hin dringt / zo sal deser aber swachund weich dirweder werden / und sal syn

swert lassen abegleiten / und im weichen/ und syne blossen rischlichen su[e]chen /mit heweh stichen ader mit sneten / wy hernu[e]r mag / Und das meynt lichtnawer /mit desen wo[e]rter / weich und herte / unddas get of dy auctoritas


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22Vas Aristotle said in the book Peri Hermanias;opposita iuxta se posita magis elucescunt / velexposita oppositorum cui autem [opposednear him set wise men shine forth or aban-

don opposition]. Weak against strong, hardagainst soft and vice versa . Because whenit is strong against strong, the stronger onewill always win. That is why Liechtenauersswordsmanship is a true art that the weakerwins more easily by use of his art than thestronger by using his strength. Otherwisewhat use would the art be? Therefore learnwell to feel [Fuhlen] in the swordplay. AsLiechtenauer says [Das Fuhlen] learn how

to feel. In an instant/just as [Indes] is a sharpword. Thus when you find yourself on an-others sword and feel [Fuhlen] well if he isweak or strong at the sword, then at once[Indes] follow and know what is appropri-ate for you to do according to the aforesaidteaching and art. Then he will not be ableto leave your sword without getting hurt.Thus Liechtenauer says Strike so that hemoves, if he withdraws from you. After this

teaching you understand how you will winthe first strike [Vorschlag] and as soon as youhave done this, then quickly and without anydelay do the after strike [Nachschlag] thatis the second, third or fourth strike, cut orthrust so that he cannot come to blows him-self. If you then find yourself on his sword,then be sure that you feel [Fuhlen] and do asbefore has been described, since this is thebasic tenet of swordsmanship: that a man is

always in motion and never at rest, and it isalso based on feeling [Fuhlen], so do as itis stated above. No matter what you do orattempt to do, always have measure [Limpf]and length [Masse]. If you have won the firststrike [Vorschlag] then do not perform it tooslowly, but move fast so that you can gatheryourself for the after strike [Nachschlag] aswell. That is why Liechtenauer says Alwaysknow this, that all things have length and

measure. And understand this in relationto stepping and all other pieces of swords-manship.

22Vals aristotyles spricht in libro peryarmeniasopposita iuxta se posita magis elucescunt /vel exposita oppositorum cui autem / Swachweder stark / herte weder weich / et eque-

tur / Wene solde stark weder stark syn / zogesigt allemal der sterker / dorum get lich-tnawer fechten noch recht und worhaftigerkunst dar / das eyn swacher mit syner kunstund list / als schire gesigt / /als eyn stark-er mit syner sterke / worum were anderskunst / Doru[e]m fechter lere wol fu[e]len/ als lichtnawer spricht / das fu[e]len lere/ Indes das wort / sneidet sere / den wendu eyme am swerte bist und fu[e]lest nu[e]

wol ab iener swach ader stark am swerte ist/ Indes ader dy weile zo magstu denne woltrachten und wissen was du salt keyn imtuen / noch deser vorgesprochenen lere /und kunst / wen her mag sich io mit nichteabe czihen vom swerte ane schade / denlichtnawer spricht / slach das her snabe /wer sich vo[e]r dir czewt abe / Item nochdeser lere zo vestestu wol alzo das du io denvorslag habest und gewinest / und als balde

/ als du den tuest / zo tu denne dornoch ineyme rawsche / inmediate an underloz dennochslag / das ist den andern / den dritten /ader den vierden slag / haw aber stich / dasio iener nicht czu slage kome / ko[e]mstuden mit im an das swert / zo bis sicher andem fulen / und tu als vor geschreben ist /Wen dis ist der grunt des fechtens das eynman umbermer in motu ist / und nicht vey-ert und ko[e]mpt is denne an das fulen / zo

tu / ut supra prestat / und was du treibestund beginest / zo habe io moe und limpf/ als ab du im den vorslag / gewinnest / zotu in nicht zo gehelich und zo dich swinde / das du nicht denne mogst irholen desnochslags / Doru[e]m spricht lichtnawer /Dor off dich zoe / alle dink haben limpfund moe / und daz selbe vornym ochvon den schreten / und von allen andernsto[e]cke und gesetze des fechtens


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23RThis is the text where the five strikes andother pieces are mentioned. Five strikeslearn to do from the right side against thedefence. Rage strike [Zornhaw], crooked

[Krump], cross [Twere], squinting [Schil-er], with the scalp strike [Scheitlere]. TheFool [Alber] counters [Vorsatzt], attack af-ter [Nochreist], and run over [Ueberlawft] hurt the strokes last. Change through[Durchwechselt], withdraw [Zuckt], run-ning through [Durchlawft], cutting away[Abesneit], pressing the hands [Hendedrukt]. Hanging [Henge], turning [Wind]with the openings [Blossen], strike, grasp

thrust with thrusts

This is regarding the Rage strike [Zorn-haw]When someone strikes at you from above,strike a rage strike [Zornhaw] and draw (orslide?) the point at him, and you shall alsostep towards the right side. If he noticesthis, take away from above without fear, bestronger, turn [Wind] against it, and take it

down. If he notices this, then go down. Notethis; strike [Hewe], thrust [Stiche], guards[Leger], soft [Weich] or hard [Herte]. Atonce [Indes] and the before [Vor] the after[Nach] do not haste into war, what thewar strikes from above, is ashamed frombelow. In all turnings [Winden], strikes,thrusts and cuts learn to find. You shall alsotry strikes, thrusts or cuts in all meetingswith the masters if you whish to fool them.

Do not strike at the sword, but always tothe openings, to the head, the body if youwhish to remain unharmed. If you hit ormiss, always search for the openings, in allteachings turn the point to the openings.He who strikes widely around, he will of-ten become seriously shamed. Always strikeand thrust at the closest openings.Glossa. Here note that Liechtenauer strikesan upper strike [Oberhaw] from the shoul-

der, it is called the rage strike [Czornhaw].

23RDas ist der / text / in deme her nennet dyfu[e]nff / hewe und andere sto[e]cke desfechtensFunf hewe lere von der rechten hant were

dy were / Zornhaw krump / twere hat schil-er mit scheitelere / Alber vorsatzt nochreist/ u[e]berlawft hewe letzt / Durchwechselt/ zukt durchlawft abesneit hende drukt /henge wind mit blo[e]en / slag vach strichstich mit sto[e]en /

Das ist von deme Czornhawe /Der dir oberhawet / czornhaw ort demedrewet / wirt her is gewar / nym is oben ab

/ ane vaer / (Und soltu auch io schreiten /eyme czu der rechten seiten / )Pis sterker / weder wint / stich / siet heris / nym is neder / das eben merke hewestiche leger weich ader herte / Indes undvor noch / ane hurt deme krige sey nichtgoch / wes der krig remet / oben / nederwirt her beschemet / In allen winden hewestiche snete lere finden //Auch saltu metepru[e]fen hewe stiche ader snete / In allen

treffen den meistern wiltu sie effen/haw nicht czum swerte / zonder stets derblo[e]en warte / Czu koppe czu leibe /wiltu an schaden bleyben / du trefts adervelest zo trachte das du der blossen remest/ (In aller lere / den ort keyn den blo[e]enkere Wer weite umbe hewet / dy wort oftsere bescheme / Of das aller neste / brengehewe stich dar geve) Glossa / hie merke undwisse das lichtnawer / eynen o[e]berhaw

slecht von der achsel / heisset der czorn-haw / wen eynem itzlichem in syme grymeund czorne


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23VWhen you are angry and raging, then nostrike is as ready as this upper strike [Ober-haw] struck from the shoulder at the op-ponent. That is why Liechtenauer means

that when someone strikes an upper strike[Oberhaw] against you, then you shallstrike a rage strike [Czornhaw] at him; thatis you move quickly in towards him withyour point leading. If he defends againstyour point, then go quickly up and over tothe other side of his sword. If he defendsagainst that as well, then be hard and strongin your sword and turn [Wind] quickly andskilfully. If he defends against your thrust

then throw and strike quickly below andyou will hit him in the legs. That is youshould always try one after the other sothat he never has a chance to come to blowshimself. And the aforesaid words Before[Vor] after [Noch] at once [Indes] weak[Swach], Strong [Stark], strike [Hewe],thrust [Stiche] and Cut [Snete], these youshould think on well and never forget inyour swordplay. And you should not rush

into war, since if you fail above were youaim, then you will hit below as you will hearhow to do one out of the other accordingto the true art, regardless if it is a strike,thrust or cut. And you shall not strike at thesword, but at the man himself, to the heador the body anywhere you can. One can alsounderstand the first passage so that whenyou strike from above with the rage strike[Czornhaw], then you are also using the

point of the rage strike. Just act accordingto this teaching, and always be in motion,whether you hit him or not, so that he can-not come to blows. And always step well outto the side with the strikes. And also knowthat from two strikes alone come all otherstrikes that are possible to name:

23Vzo ist im keyn haw als bereit / als der selbeaberhaw slecht von der achsel / czum mane / Doru[e]m meynt lichtnawer / wen direyner czu hewt / mit eynen obirhaw / so

saltu du keyn im weder hawen den czorn-haw alzo das dir mit dyme ort vaste keynim schisset / wert her dir dyn ort zo cze-wch balde oben ab / und var czu der andernsyten dar / syns swerts / wert her dir dazaber zo bis harte und stark im swerte / undwind / und stich balde und kunlich / werther dir den stich / zo smeis und haw baldeunden czu / wo du trifft / czu beynen / alzodas du umbermer eyns noch dem andern

treibest / das iener nicht czu slage kome/ Und dy vorgesprochene wo[e]rter / vor/ noch / Indes / swach / stark / und hewe/ stiche und snete / der saltu czu male wolgedenken / und mit nichte vorgessen indeme gefechte / Auch saltu nicht sere ey-len mit deme krige / den ab dir eyns veletoben / des du remest / so triffestu undenals du wirst ho[e]ren wy sich eyns aus demandern macht / noch rechtvertiger kunst

/ besunder hewe stiche snete / Und saltnicht czu eyns swerte hawen / zonder czuim selber / czu koppe und czu leibe / woeyner mag / Auch mag man vornemen dasder erste verse mochte alzo stehen / wen duo[e]berhewest czornhaw / deme drewt derort des czornhaws / Nu[e]r tu noch deserlere / und bis umbermer in motu / du tref-fest ader nicht / daz iener nicht czu slagekome und schret io wol besytz aus / mit den

hewen / Auch wisse das nur czwene heweseyn aus den allen hewen ander komen wydy umber genant mo[e]gen werden /


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24Rthese are the upper strike [Oberhaw] andthe lower strike [Unterhaw] from bothsides. These are the main strikes and formthe foundation for all other strikes. They

are in themselves basic and come from thepoint of the sword, which is the centre andcore of all other pieces that is well describedto you. And from these strikes come thefour displacements from each side withwhich all strikes or thrusts are broken andalso all guards, and from them you comeinto the four hangings and from these onecan do fine art as you will hear later. Nomatter how you fence always aim the point

at the opponents face or breast, then he willalways have to worry that you will be fastersince you will have a shorter way to go into him than he has to you.

And if it happens that the opponent winsthe first strike [Vorschlag] then you mustbe sure, precise and quick in the turning[Wenden] and as soon as you have turnedin to him you shall move at once with

speed and your point should always desirehis breast and turn [Winden] and seek itsway there as you shall hear later on. Andas soon as the opponent binds your swordthen your point should not be more thanhalf an ell [30-40cm] from the opponentsbreast or face. You shall be careful and noteif you can get in behind [his sword] andalways go the nearest way and never toowide, so that the opponent does not come

before you in case you hesitated and againfind yourself to be left hanging or that youdefended too weakly or defended too wideand with too much force.

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24Rdas ist der o[e]berhaw / und der underhaw/ von beiden seiten / dy sint dy hawpt heweund grunt aller ander hewe / wy wol dy sel-ben ursachlich und gruntlich / auch komen

aus dem orte des swertes / der do ist derkern und das czentrum aller andern stocke

/ als das wol vor ist geschreben (und aus denselben hewen komen dy vier vorsetczen vonbeiden seiten / mit den man alle hewe undstiche ader leger letzt und bricht / und ausden man auch yn dy vier hengen kumpt /aus den man wol kunst treiben mag / alsman hernoch wirt horen) / und wy eyn mannur ficht / zo sal io allemal den ort keyn

eyns gesichte ader brust keren / zo mus sichiener alleczeit besorgen das her icht e komewen her / wen her io neher czu im hat weniener / Und ab is alzo quemen / das ienerden vorslag gewinne / zo sal deser sicherund gewis / und snelle seyn mit dem wen-den / und als bald als her im gewendet hat /zo sal her czu hant czuvaren risch und balde/ und syn ort sal allemal iens brust begerenund sich keyn der keren und stellen / als

du hernoch wirst vas horen / und der ort/ als bald her eyme an das swert kumpt / /der sal allemal kawme u[e]m eyne halbe eleverre / von iens brust ader gesichte seyn /und des gar wol war nemen ab her yndertdar komen mo[e]chte / und io of das neste/ und nicht weit u[e]m / das iener icht equeme wen deser / ab sich deser icht lassenund zu[e]men wu[e]rde / und czu wege wer/ ader czu weit wolde dar komen und czu

vorrebem /

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25RThis is on the four openingsIf you know how to seek the four open-ings [Blossen], then you should strike trueand without any danger, without concern

for what he intends to do. Note here thatLiechtenauer divides a man into four parts.That is as if a line was drawn from his fore-head to his groin down the body and theother line along his belt. Thus you willhave four openings in quarters. A left andright opening above the belt and the sameopenings below the belt. These are the fouropenings and each has its own fencing. Al-ways seek these and never the sword. How

to break the four openings; If you wish totake revenge, then artfully break the fouropenings. Above double [Duplier] and be-low rightfully change [Mutier]. I say trulythat no man can defend himself withoutdanger and if you have understood this thenhe cannot come to blows.

25RDas ist von den vier blo[e]ssenVier blo[e]en wisse remen zo slestu gewisse/ an alle var / an zweifel wy her gebarGlosa / hie merke / daz lichtnawer der

teilt eyn menschen yn vier teil / recht zamdas her eym von der scheitel / eyn strichvorne gleich neder machte an sym leybe /bis her neder czwischen syne beyne / undden andern strich by der go[e]rtel dy cz-were o[e]ber den / leib / zo werden vier vi-erteil eyn rechtes und eyn links o[e]ber dergo[e]rtel / und alzo auch under der gortel /das sint dy vier bloen der hat itzlichs synesonder gefechte / der reme und nummer

keyns swertes / zonder der bloen Von den vier blo[e]ssen wy man dyebrichtWiltu dich rechen / vier blo[e]ssen kun-stlichen brechen / oben duplire do nedenrechten mutireIch sage vor ware / sich scho[e]tzt keyn manane vare / hastu vornomen / czu slage magher kleyne komen


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25V This is on the Crooked strike [Krum-phawe]Go crooked [Krump] with skill and throwthe point at the hands, strike crooked

[Krump] at he who sets well, with stepsyou will hurt many strokes. Strike crooked[Krum] to the flat of the master when youwish to weaken him.When it flashes above step away that I willapplaud. Do not crooked [Krum] shortstrikes, changing through [Durchwechsel]and then do a crooked strike [Krum], who-ever wishes to deceive you the noble warwill confuse him, so that he does not know

if he is out of danger.Glossa. Here note that the crooked strike[Krumphaw] is an upper strike [Oberhaw]that goes out well to the side with a step,and then goes in a crooked manner to one[the other] side. Therefore Liechtenauermeans that if you wish to do this strike well,you shall step well out to the right side asyou strike. And you shall throw or shootyour point in over the cross guard at the

(opponents) hands. And you shall strikewith your flat, and when you hit the flat(of the opponents sword?) you shall remainon it with strength and push firmly and see were you can easiest and straightest hithim with strikes or thrusts or cuts and youshall not strike too short and not forget thechanging through [Durchwechsel ], were itis suitable to do it.

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25VDas ist von deme krumphawe /Krump auf / behende / wirf deynen ortauf dy hende / krump wer wol setczet mitschreten vil hewe letczet / haw krump czu

flechen / den meistern wiltu sie swechen /Wen is klitzt oben / stant abe das wil ichloben / krump nicht kurcz hawe / durch-wechsel do mete schawe / krump wer dichirret / der edele krig den vor virret / Das hernicht vorwar / weis wo her sye ane varGlossa / Hie merke und wisse das der krum-phaw ist eyn oberhaw der domit eyme gutenausschrete / krumpes dar get / zam nocheyner seiten / Doru[e]m meynt lichtnawer

der den selben haw wol wil furen / der salwol beseitz aus schreiten czu der rechtenhant / danne her den haw brengt / Und salwol krumphawen und behendlichen undsol synen ort / werfen / ader schien / iemeaber syn gehilcze of dy hende / und sal mitsynen flechen hawen / wen her denne trift/ zo sal her stark dor of bleiben und vastedrucken / und sal sehen / was her denneam endlichsten und geradsten / dar bren-

gen mag / mit hewen stichen ader sneten /und sal mit nichte czu korcz hawen / undsal des durchwechsels nicht vorgessen / absichs gepu[e]rt

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26VA strike is called the feint/error [Veller] andit comes from the crooked strike [Krum-phaw] and it is described after the crossstrike [Zwerchhaw] which is described

firstly and it shall be before the cross strike.And it goes crooked [Krumt] from belowand is shot in over the cross guard at him byshooting the point just as the [Krumphaw]from above and down.

26VEyn / haw / heist der Veller / und kumptaus dem krumphaw und der stet geschre-ben nach deme twerhawe / do dy hantist geschreben / und der sal vo[e]r deme

therhawe sten / und der get von unden darkrumes und schiks / eyme ober deme ge-hilcze yn / mit ort schissen recht zam derkrumphaw von oben neder /


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27RThis is on the cross strike [Twerehaw]The cross strike [Twere] takes away whatcomes from the roof, do the cross strike[Twere] with the strong and note your

work.Cross strike [Twere] to the plough [Pfluge]and follow hard to the ox [Ochsen] he whodo the cross strike [Tweret] well with aleap will hit the head. He who lead thefeint/error [Veller] , hits from below ashe wish, [Vorkerer] forces, runs through[Durchlawfer] and wrestles [Ringet] takethe elbow with skill, jump him in the scale.Feint twofold and if you hit do the cut as

well. Twofold further on step to the left anddo not be slow. Since all fencing desiresquickness from the right, and also courage,caution and understanding

27RDas ist von deme Twerehawe Twere benymet was von dem tage darku[e]met / Twere mit der sterke / deyn ar-beit do mete merke / twere czu dem pfluge

/ czu den ochsen herte gefuge / Was sichwol tweret mit spru[e]engen dem hew gef-eret / Veller wer fu[e]ret von unden nochwonsche her ru[e]ret / Vorkerer twinget /durchlawfer auch mete ringet / den ellen-bogen gewis nym / sprink yn den wogen /Veller zwefache in trift man den snet metemache / Czwefaches vorpas schreit yn linkund weze nicht las / wen alles vechten wilrischheit haben von rechte / dorczu auch

kunheit / vorsichtikeit list unde klugheit /


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27VGlossa. Note and know that from the wholesword no strike is as good, ready and strongas the cross strike [Twerhaw]. And it goesacross to both sides using both edges the

foremost and the rearmost at all openingsbelow and above. And all that comes fromthe roof [Dem tage], that is the upper strike[Oberhaw] or what comes from above andgoes down, that the cross strike [Twerhaw]will break and defends against for you ifyou do the cross strike [Twerhaw] well, orif you cast the sword aslant in front of thehead on whichever side you wish, just asyou do when you want to get into the hang-

ings [Hengen] or the turning [Winden]. Inthe cross strike [Twerhaw] you turn the flatsides of the sword, one up and one downwith the point horizontal, one [edge] to theright and one to the left side. And it is goodto bind the opponents sword with this crossstrike [Twerhaw]. When this has happenedthen the other can come away with diffi-culty and he will then be struck on bothsides with the cross strike [Twerhaw]. So

when you make a cross strike [Twerhaw],regardless of the side or if it is high or low,you will go up with the sword with yourhand turned and the cross guard in frontof your head so that you are well guardedand covered. You shall do the cross strike[Twerhaw] with a certain amount of power.And when you must fight for your neck [i.e.for your life] , then you shall use the earlierdescribed

27VGlossa / Hie merke und wisse / das of demganczen / swerte / keyn haw / als redlich /zo heftik zo vertik / und zo gut ist als dertwerhaw / Und der get dar / zam dy twer

/ czu beyden seiten mit beiden sneiden /der hindern und der vo[e]rdern / czu al-len blossen / unden unde oben / Und allesdas von dem tage dar kumpt / das sint dyo[e]bern hewe / ader was so[e]st von obenneder gehet / das bricht und / weret eyner/ mit den twerhewen / der dy wol will darbrengen / ader das swert wol vo[e]rwirft /dy twer vor das hawpt / czu weler seitenher will / recht zam her in dy obern hen-

gen ader winden wolle komen / Nu[e]r daseyner in den twerhewen / dy flechen desswertes / eyne oben ader of / dy ander un-den ader neder kert / und dy sneiden / czuden syten / dy twer / eyne / czy der rechten/ und eyne czu der linken / seiten / und mitden selben twer hewe / ist gar gut eyme andas swert czu komen / und wen den eynereyme an das swert kumpt / wy das nu[e]r darkomen ist / zo mag iener mu[e]lich von im

komen / her wirt von desem geslagen / czubeiden seiten mit den twerhawen / den wyher eynen twerhaw nu[e]r dar brengt / czuweler seite is ist / unden ader oben / zo getim io das swert oben / mit dem gehilcze /mit vorworfner / hant / vor deme hewpte /das her io / wol bewart und bedekt ist / Undeyner sal dy twerhewe / etzwas mit / sterkedar brengen / und wen eyner u[e]m synenhals so[e]lde fechten so solde her schaffen

/ mit der vorgeschreben


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28Rteachings and seek and win the first strike[Vorschlag] with a good cross strike [Twere-haw]. When you go against another, then assoon as you think that you can reach him,

with a step or leap, explode with a crossstrike [Twerehaw] from high on the rightside using the back edge straight at thehead. And you shall let the point shoot outand move across well so that you drive thepoint well and turn [Winde] or tightens itaround the opponents head like a belt. Sothat when you do a cross strike [Twerehaw]with a good step or leap out to the side,it is impossible for the opponent to pro-

tect himself or turn away. And when youthus win the first strike [Vorschlag] withthe cross strike [Twerhaw] at one side, thenregardless if you hit or miss, you shall atonce and without delay win the after strike[Nachschlag] with the cross strike [Twer-haw] to the other side using the forwardedge before the other can collect himselfand come to blows or other techniques ac-cording to the afore described teachings.

And you shall cross strike [Twern] to bothsides, to the ox [Ochs] and to the plough[Pflug] that is to the upper and the loweropening, from one side to the other, aboveand below continuously and without anyinterruptions so that you are in constantmotion and the opponent can not come toblows. And each time that you do a crossstrike [Twerhaw] above or below, then youdo it well and throw the sword across above,

well in front of your head so that you arewell covered.

28Rlere / das her mit eyme guten twerhaweden vorslag / gewinne / Wen her mit eymeczu gige als balde als her irkente / dasher ienen dir reichen mochte/ mit eynen

schrete ader sprunge das her denne darplaczte / mit eyme twerhaw oben von derrechten seiten / mit der hindern sneidenieme gleich oben czu hawpte czu / und salden ort lassen schiessen / und sal gar woltweren das sich der ort wol lenkte / undwinde / ader gorte um iens hawpt / zameyn rime / Denne wen eyner wol tweret /mit eyme guten ausschreten oder spronge/ zo mag sichs iener mu[e]lich schutzen /

oder abewenden / Und wen her denne denvorslag also gewint mit dem twerhaw / czuder eynen seyten / her treffe ader vele izosal her denne als balde in eyme rawscheimmediate an undloz / den nochslag ge-winnen / mit dem twerhaw czu der andernseiten / mit der vo[e]rdern sneiden / e densich iener keyns slage ader ichsichtz irhole/ noch der vorgeschreben lere / Und saldenne twern czu beiden seiten / czu och-

sen und czu pfluge / das ist / czu den obenblo[e]ssen und czu den undern / von eynerseiten of dy ander / unden und oben / um-bermer / an underloz / alzo das her ym-mer in motu sey und ienen nicht losse czuslage komen / Und als oft / als her eynentwerhaw tuet oben ader unden zo sal herio wol tweren und das swert oben dy twer/ wol vor syn hawpt / werfen / das her wolbedekt sey /


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28VThis is regarding the Squinting strike [Shil-hawe]The squinting strike [Schiler] breaks whatthe buffalo or a fool strikes or thrusts, he

who tries to change [Wechsel]; the squint-ing strike [Schiler] robs him of it. Do asquinting strike [Schil] if he comes to shortthe changing through [Durchwechsel] de-feats him. Do a squinting strike [Schil] tothe point and take the neck without fear.Do a squinting strike [Schil] to the upperhead if you wish to endanger the hands.Strike a squinting strike [Schil] to the right(probably the opponents right side, but it

could be your own as well), this is how youwish to fence. The squinting strike [Schil] Ido praise, if it does not come too slowly.Glossa. Here note and understand that thesquinting strike [Schiler] is an upper strike[Oberhaw] from the right side using theback edge on the sword, which is called theleft side, and it goes in a squinting way andis sent to one side with a step to the rightwith the sword and hand turned. And this

strike breaks what the buffalo [a peasantthat is] can strike from above to below, asthey are wont to do. Just as the cross strike[Twerhaw] breaks the same, as is describedbefore. And he who tries with a changingthrough [Durchwechsel] will be shamed bythe squinting strike [Schiler]. And you shallsquint well and long enough and shoot thepoint well, or else the changing through[Durchwechsel] will stop you. And one

shall squint well with the point to the neck,courageously and without fear. And

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28VDas ist von deme schilhaweSchiler in bricht was pu[e]ffel nu[e] sletader sticht / Wer wechsel drawet / schilerdor aus in berawbet / Schil ku[e]rczt her

dich an durchwechsel das sigt ym an / Schilzu dem orte / und nym den hals ane vorchte/ schil in dem o[e]bern hawpte hende wiltubedo[e]bern / (Schil ken dem rechten / isdas du wol gerest vechte / den schilhaw ichpreize / kumpt her dar nicht czu leize)

Glossa / Hie merke und wisse das eynschilhaw ist eyn o[e]berhaw von der re-chten seiten mit der hindern sneiden des

swertes / dy die linke seite ist genant / undget recht zam schilende ader schiks dar czueyner zeiten aus geschreten czu der rechten/ mit vorwantem schwerte und vorworfnerhant / Und der selbe haw der bricht als daspu[e]ffel das ist eyn pawer / mag geslaen/ von oben neder als sie phlelen czu tuen / recht zam der twerhaw auch das selbebricht / als vor ist geschreben / Und wermit durchwechsel drewt / der wirt mit dem

schilhaw beschemet / und eyner sal wolschilhawen und lank genuk / und den ortvaste schiessen / anders her wirt gehindert/ mit / durchwechsel / und / eyner sal / wolschilen mit dem orte / czu dem halse kun-lich ane vorchte / und

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29VWhen you see that you both pull the swordsfrom the sheats [Czucken], then you shallbe forceful and note well the steps. Before[Vor] and after [Nach] these two things try

and learn with leaping of, follow all hits ifyou want to humble the strong. If he de-fends then follow and withdraw [Czucken]thrust, if he defends then pull to him. Theturning [Winden] and hanging [Hengen]learn to artfully do and try the [opponents]intentions whether they are soft [Weich] orhard [Herte]. And if he fights with strength,then you are artfully prepared, if he grabswidely and far around, then the shooting

defeats him. With his strike, he will hardlydefend himself, hit without fear, strike andquickly rush in, regardless if you hit or miss.Do not strike to the sword, but always tothe openings. Whether you hit or miss,always seek the openings with both yourhands learn to bring the point to the eyes.Fence with good mind and always win thefirst strike [Vorschlag] if you hit or miss, atonce seek the after strike [Nachschlag] to

both sides, to the right hand side step in tothe opponent. Thus you can win fencingor wrestling.

29VWo man von scheiden / swert czucken sietvon in beiden / do sal man stercken / unddy schrete eben mete merken / vor / nochdy czwey dink / pru[e]fe und mit lere abe

sprunk / Volge allen treffen / den starkenwiltu sy effen / wert her so czucke // stich /wert her / io czu ym ru[e]cke / Dy windenund hengen / lere kunstlichen dar brengen/ Und pru[e]fe dy ferte / ab sy sint weichaber herte / ab her denne starck vicht zobistu kunstlich bericht / und greiffet /weite ader lenge an // das schissen gesigtim an / Mit synen slaen / harte schu[e]tzther sich triff ane forchte / Haw dreyn und

hurt dar / rawsche hin trif ader la varn /haw nicht czum swerte /zonder stetzs derblo[e]ssen warte / Du treffest ader velest /zo trachte das du der blo[e]ssen remest /Mit beiden henden / czum ogen ort lerebrengen / fficht io mit synnen / und allemalden vorslag gewynne / her treffe ader vele /mit dem nochslage czu hant reme / Czumbeiden seiten / czu der rechten hant / imschreite / so magstu mit gewynne / fechtens

ader ringens begynnen /


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30RThis is regarding the Scalp strike [Scheitel-hawe]The scalp strike [Scheitelere] is a danger toyour face. With its turn it takes the breast

fast and what comes from him the crown[Crone] will take. Cut through the crown[Krone], that is how it is strongly broken.Press the strike in there, with cuts pullit away. The scalp strike [Scheitelhaw] Ipraise, if it does not come too slowly.

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30RDas ist von deme scheitelhaweDer scheitelere deyn antlitz ist ym gefere /mit seinem karen / der broste vaste gewaren/ Was von ym ku[e]met / dy crone das abe

nymmet / Sneyt durch dy krone zo brichstusie harte schoneDy striche dru[e]cke / mit sneten sie aberu[e]cke / Den scheitelhaw ich preize /ku[e]mpt her dar / nicht czu leize /

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32RLiechtenauer hold only these four guardsthat come from the upper and lower hang-ings, and from these one can fence safely.

This is regarding the four guards [VierLeger]Four guards only, and leave the common onesalone. The ox [Ochse], plough [Pflug], fool[Alber], from above/the roof [Vom Tage],these should not be unknown to you.Glossa. Here he mentions four guards[Leger or Huten] that are valuable. But be-fore all things, remember that you shouldnot remain too long in one guard. Liech-

tenauer has a saying He who is still, is dead,he who moves will live. And from theseguards comes the understanding that youshould move in swordplay, and not wait in aguard and thus waste your chance.The first guard, the plough [Pflug], is whenyou hold the point [of the sword] in frontof you aimed at the ground or to the side.After a displacement [Abesetzen] it is calledthe barrier guard [Schranckhute] or simply

the gate [Pforte].The second guard is the ox [Ochse], or theupper hanging from the shoulder.The fool [Alber] breaks what [your oppo-nent] strikes or thrusts. From the hanging[Hengen] strike and at once and follow byattacking after [Nochreizen].The third guard the fool [Alber] is the lowerhanging [Undenhengen], and with it youbreak all strikes and thrusts when it is done

correctly. The fourth guard is from the roof [Vomtage], is also the long point [Lange ort]. He,who does it well with outstretched arms, isnot easy to hit with strikes or thrusts. It canalso be called the hanging above the head.Also know that you break all guards andpositions with the strikes. You should strikebravely at the opponent so that he must moveaway and defend him. Therefore Liech-

tenauer does not hold the guards in such ahigh esteem; he is more interested in thatyou try to win the first strike [Vorschlag]

32R

Lichtnawer helt nur etzwas von den vierleger dorubme das sy aus den ober und un-der hengen gehen doraus man schure mag

gefechte brengen

Das ist von den vier legerVier leger alleyne / do von halt und flewg dygemeyne / Ochse pflug / alber / vom tagenicht sy dir u[e]mmer /Glossa / Hie nent her vier leger ader vierhute / do von etzwas czu halde ist / Dochvor allen sachen / zo sal eyn man io nichtczu lange dorynne legen / wenn lichtnawer

hat eyn so[e]lch sprich / wort / wer do leitder ist tot / Wer sich ru[e]ret der lebt noch/ und das get of dy leger das sich eyn mansal liber ruren mit gefechten den das her /der huten wart / mit dem her vorslossenmo[e]chte dy schancze / Dy erste hute /pflug is dy / wen eyner den ort vor sich ofdy erde leczt ader czu der seiten / nochdem abesetzen / das heyssen anders / dyschranckhute / ader dy pforte / Dy ander

hute ochse ist das oberhengen von der ach-selAlber io bricht / was man hewt ader sticht/ mit hengen streiche / nochreizen setzegleicheDy dritte hute alber / ist das undenhengen /mit der man alle hewe und stiche / bricht /wer dy recht fu[e]ret Dy vierde hute / vomtage / ist der lange ort / wer den wol furetmit gestragten armen / den mag nicht man

mit hewen noch mit stichen wol treffen /Is mag auch wol heissen / das hengen oberdem hawpte Auch wisse / das man alle legerund hute bricht mit hewen / mit deme / dazman eyme kunlich czuhewt / zo mus io / ofvarn eyner und sich schutzen / Doru[e]mhelt lichtnawer nicht vil von den legernader huten / zunder her schaft liber das sicheyner besorge vor im mit dem das her denvorslag gewint


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32VThis is regarding the four displacements[Vorsetczen]There are four displacements [Vorsetczen]that also hurt the guards seriously. Displac-

ing will protect you but avoid doing parries,if they occur [that is when the opponentparries] it helps you a lot. If you are dis-placed [Vorsatzt], then no matter how ithappened, this is what I advice you to do;strike off quickly and with attention. Set onat four ends; remain there if you want tofinish the teaching. He, who displaces well,will hurt many strikes in the swordplay foryou come handily into the hangings [Hen-

gen] from the displacementsGlossa. Note here that there are four dis-placements [Vorsetczen] to both sides, toeach side one above and one below. Theybreak all guards, and no matter how you setaside [Abeleitest or Abweisest] a strike orthrust from above or from below, this canwell be called a displacement [Vorsetczen].If he displaces you, then no matter how hedoes it, leave [his sword] and strike quickly

at him. If it happens that you displace theopponents strike or thrust, then you shouldat once step in and follow [Nochvolgen ]at the sword so that he cannot move awayfrom you. And if the other does the samewhen you are hanging again and gatheryourself, then you will get hurt. You shouldalso turn [Wenden] well and always aim

your point at his breast so that he must con-sider this. A good swordsman should also

learn how to get at the opponents sword.And this you will do well from the displace-ments [Vorsetczen] that comes from thefour strikes, from each side an upper strike[Ober] and an [Unterhaw] and into the fourhangings [Hengen]. Since as soon as youcan displace [Vorsetzt] from above or be-low, then you shall come into the hangings[Hengen] at once. And as you turn aside[Abewendet] all strikes and thrusts with

the foremost edge, that is also displacing[Vorsetczen].

32VDas it von vier vorsetczenVier sint vorsetczen / dy dy leger auch sereletczen / Vorsetczen hu[e]t dich geschietdas auch sere mu[e]t dich / Ab dir vorsatzt

ist / und wy das dar komen ist / ho[e]re wasich rate / streich abe haw snel mete drate /Setzt an vier enden / bleib droffe / lere wiltuenden / (Wer wol vorsetczit / ders vechtenvil hewe letczit / wen yn dy hengen / kump-stu mit vorsetczen behenden)Glossa / Hie merke / das vier vorsetczen

sint / czu beiden / seiten / czu itlicher seiten/ eyn obers und eyns u[e]nders / Und dyletczen ader brechen / alle huten ader leger

/ und wy du von oben / ader von unden /eyme / hewe stiche ader snete / mit deymeswerte abeleitest / ader abweisest / das magwol heissen vorsetczen / Und ab dir vorsatzwirt wy das dar kumpt / zo czewch rislichabe / und haw snelle mete czu / yn eymehurte / Ist denne das du eyme vorsetzt /ader abewendest eyn haw ader stich / zosaltu / czu hant czu treten und nochvol-gen am swerte das dir iener icht abeczihe

/ und salt denne tuen was du magst / Wyleichte du dich last und zu[e]mest zo nym-mestu schaden / Auch saltu wol wenden/ und allemal deyn ort keren keyns eynsbrust / zo mus her sich besorgen / Auchsal eyn guter fechter / vol lernen / eymean das swert komen und das mag / her woltuen / mit den vorsetczen / wen dy komenaus den vier hewen / von itzlicher seiten / eyn o[e]berhaw und eyn u[e]nderhaw /

Und gen yn dy vier hengen wen als bald alseyner vorsetzt von unden / ader von oben/ so sal her czu hant yn dy hengen komen/ und als her mit der vo[e]rdern sneiden /alle hew und stiche abewendet / als ist esmit den vorsetczen


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33RThis is regarding attacking after [Noch-reisen]Learn to attack after [Nochreisen ] twofoldor cut in the defence. Two outer takings

[Ewsere nymme] let the work begin. Andtry the contact, if it is weak [Weich], orhard [Herte] learn how to feel [Fuelen], atonce [Indes] - that word cuts severely. At-tack twofold, and also do the old cut well,follow all hits if you whish to emulate thestrong one. In all teachings, turn the pointinto the face and attack after [Nochreize]with all your body then your point will dowell. Learn to attack with skill and you will

make a good ending.

33RDas ist von nochreisenNochreisen lere / czwefach ader sneit in dywere / Czwey ewsere nymme / der erbeitdornoch begynne / Und pru[e]ff dy ferte /

ab sye sint weich ader herte / Das fu[e]lenlere / Indes / das wort sneidet sere / Reisenczwefache / den alden snet mete mache /Volge allen treffen / den starken wiltu syeffen / In aller lere / den ort keyn eyns ge-sichte kere / mit ganczem leibe / nochreize/ deyn ort io da pleibe / lere auch behende/ reizen / zo magstu wol enden


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33VThis is regarding the running over [Ober-lawfen] Swordsman, take notice.He who seeks below, run over him [Ober-lawf] above and he will be ashamed. When

it flashes above, be strong, that I will praise.Do your work, or press strongly twofold.He who presses you down, run him over[Oeberlawf] and strike hard against him.From both sides run over [Oeberlawf] andnotice the edges.

33VDas ist von o[e]berlawfen / ffechter sichczu /Wer unden remet / o[e]berlawf den / derwirt beschemet / Wen is klitzt oben / so

sterke das ger ich loben / deyn erbeit mache/ ader herte dru[e]cke czwefache / wer dichdru[e]kt neder / o[e]berlawf in / slach sereweder / Von beiden seiten / o[e]berlawf undmerke dy sneiden


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34RThis is regarding the setting aside, learn itwell [Abesetczen]Learn to set aside, to hurt strikes andthrusts with skill. When he thrust at you,

your point will hit and break his. From bothsides, always step if you wish to hit. In allteachings turn your point into his face.

34RDas ist von abesetczen / das lere wolLere abesetczen / hewe stiche ku[e]nstlichenletczen / Wer auf dich sticht / dyn ort triftund seynen bricht / von payden seyten / trif

allemal wiltu schreiten / in aller lere / deynort keyn eyns gesichte kere /


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34V This is regarding changing through[Durchwechsel]Learn how to change through [Durch-

wechsel] from both sides and thrust with

intent. He who binds you [your sword] isfound to be open by the changing through[Durchwechsel]. When you have changedthrough, strike, thrust or turn [Wind]. Donot strike at the sword but change through[Durchwechsel] and do not wait for (orwith doing the changing through, do it atonce) it.Glossa. Note here that changing through[Durchwechsel] goes straight forward on

both sides, from above to below and frombelow upwards when done quickly. If youwish to change through from above to be-low on the right side, then strike an upperstrike [Oberhaw] straight at him so thatyou shoot your point towards the left sidein over his cross guard [Gehilcze], so thatyou hit in that small opening between theedge and the cross guard. If you hit thenyou have won.

If he defends against that and presses yourpoint with his sword, then let the point sinkdown on the side that you are on, below hissword and around to the other side, do notmake a wide movement around, but underhis sword and the next thing that you do isto rush in with a good strong thrust over hiscross guard. And when you feel that you hit,then follow well and as you do on one side

over or under, do also on the other side.And if he binds with you, go in along hissword to the openings with your point andchange through [Durchwechsel] as before.Or turn [Wind] and feel [Fule] what he is upto, if he is weak [Weich] or strong [Herte],and then try strikes, thrusts or cuts to hisopenings. When you have changed throu

or hanko döbringer fechtbuch from 1389

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